Oscillating wire trimming apparatus



Dec. 19, 1967 H. A. KAHlLl 3,358,343

OSCILLATING WIRE TRIMMING APPARATUS Filed Oct. 19, 1964 29 INVENTOR. b'w/"yA X5 /7/// United States Patent 3,358,343 OSCILLATING WIRE TRIMMING APPARATUS Henry A. Kahili, 411 W. 6th St., Long Beach, Calif. 90812 Filed Oct. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 404,787 7 Claims. (Cl. 25105) This invention relates to a trimming apparatus and is more particularly concerned with an apparatus for trimming and truing a scratch coat of cement and aggregate' on a wall preparatory to the application of ceramic tile or the like thereto.

In the art of tile setting, a so called scratch coat of sand and cement, commonly referred to as mud, is applied to the supporting structure to which the tile is to be related, to provide a flat foundation upon or onto which the tile can be advantageously applied. The tile are applied to the scratch coat one at a time or, in groups of limited dimension suitably secured together by an open mesh fabric or the like secured to the back surface of the assembled tile.

The tile are bonded to the scratch coat by the application of a thin coating of cement applied to the scratch coat, after it is cured and onto which the tile are pressed.

To provide a smooth uniform and attractive installation of tile, it is imperative that the scratch coat be applied so as to provide a flat, true and uniform foundation or surface upon which the tile can be applied.

Due to the uniform nature of ceramic tile and their glazed surfaces, any misalignment and the like is extremely noticeable to even the unskilled eye.

In accordance with present day practice, the scratch coat for tile, applied to a wall, is applied by means of a trowel or, is sprayed onto the wall and is subsequently smoothed and leveled off by means of trowels and floats, as best as the artisan can do, by eye and by exercising a highly developed skill. The best of such jobs or installations is seldom, if ever, true and uniform and much adjustment and compensation for irregularities in the scratch coat must be made by the tilesetter, when setting the tile and at the expense of much time and effort and with the exercise of great and special skill.

An object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for trimming a scratch coat for tile or the like, applied to a wall, so as to provide a flat true and uniform surface on said scratch coat and upon which the tile can be easily, conveniently, uniformly and accurately applied with the expenditure of a minimum amount of time and with the exercise of a minimum amount of special skill.

It is an object of my invention to provide an apparatus for the purpose referred to which is easy and economical to manufacture, easy andconvenient to use, and which is highly effective and dependable in operation.

A feature of this invention is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to including a pair of laterally spaced, vertically disposed columns, mounting means at the upper and lower ends of the columns to secure the columns in fixed predetermined relationship with a wall to which a scratch coat is to be applied, longitudinally extending rails on the columns, a carriage carried by the rail of each column and shiftable longitudinally thereof, a spring-loaded spool on one carriage, an oscillator on the other carriage and a cutter wire extending between the columns and having one end fixed to the oscillator and its other end fixed to and wound about the spool or reel.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of my invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying vdrawings, in which:

3,358,343 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 FIGURE 1 is an isometric view showing my new apparatus related to a wall structure;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 22 on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 33 on FIGURE 2, and;

FIGURE 4 is a view taken substantially as indicated by line 4-4 on FIGURE 1.

The apparatus provided by the present invention and illustrated in the drawings includes two column assemblies A, each including an elongate vertically disposed column C having upper and lower ends 10 and 11, mounting means M at the lower end of the column to anchor the column to a floor structure F, mounting means M' at the upper end of the column to anchor the upper end of the column to a wall structure w, or sealing structure, a longitudinally extending spacer flange S projecting inwardly from the column towards the wall structure w, a longitudinal rail R projecting laterally outwardly from the column, at right angles to the flange S and a longitudinally shiftable carriage B carried by the rail.

In addition to the foregoing, the construction that I provide further includes a spring loaded wire spool or reel R carried by the carriage B of one column assembly, an oscillator 0 carried by the carriage B of the other column assembly and an elongate wire W extending between the column assemblies, over the flanges S thereof and having one end fixed to and wound about the reel R and its other end fixed to the oscillator O.

The column C of each assembly A is a simple elongate vertically disposed length of pipe or tubing.

The spacer flange S of each assembly is a simple, elongate, flat, platelike member fixed to the column C to extend longitudinally thereof and projects laterally inwardly therefrom. The fiange S defines a straight, longitudinally extending, straight edge 12 which edge occurs in spaced parallel relationship with or to the column C and is adapted to be arranged to occur adjacent the wall structure w on the plane of the surface of the scratch coat to be established.

The rail R of each column assembly includes an elongate flange 13 fixed to the column C, to project laterally outwardly therefrom, at right angles to the flange S and is provided with an elongate strap or barlike rail 14 along its outer edge, which rail extends parallel with the column and projects laterally from the opposite sides of the flange 13, as clearly illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawing.

In practice and as illustrated, the flanges S and 13 can be formed integrally with each other and suitably bent along their inner adjacent edge portions to accommodate the column C. The column C is seated in the corner established by the flanges and is fixed thereto as by welding.

The mounting means M at the lower end of each column assembly includes a universal coupling 20 having a ball member 21 fixed to the lower end of the column, as by means of an upwardly projecting pin on the member fitted into the lower end of the column; a flat substantially horizontally disposed mounting plate 22 having a plurality of fastener receiving openings 23 and an upwardly opening cup member 24 fixed to the top of the plate and slideably receiving and holding the ball member, captive.

The means M further includes an upwardly and downwardly opening rectangular form 25 having upwardly convergent side walls 26. The form is adapted to be arranged on the floor structure F adjacent the wall w. A wooden anchor block 27 having a flat top 28 is arranged within the form 25 with its top 28 substantially flush with the open top of the form. A body or mass of plaster of Paris P is poured into the form and about the lower portion of the block. The plaster of Paris P serves to secure 3 the block in fixed predetermined relationship and also bonds to -the floor structure F to hold the subassembly comprising the block form and plaster of Paris in fixed position.

The form, block and plaster of Paris assembly is adapted to provide a proper anchoring and mounting pad for the mounting plate 22, when the floor structure F fails to provide a suitable mounting surface for said plate.

When the form, block and plaster assembly, or mounting pad assembly, is employed, the plate 22 is engaged on the top surface 28 of the block and is secured in fixed relationship thereto by means of nail fasteners 29 engaged through certain of the openings 23.

If the assembly establishing the mounting pad is not required, the plate 22 can be engaged directly on the floor structure F and fixed thereto in the same or similar m nner.

In light of the above, it will be apparent that the mounting pad assembly, made up of the form 25, block 27 and plaster of Paris P, is a supplemental structure which may ormay not be employed, as circumstances require.

The mounting means M at the upper end of the column C includes an elongate guide tube30, a universal coupling 31 between the upper end of the column and the guide tube, an elongate tie rod 32 slideably engaged through the tube, a mounting plate 33 having fastener receiving openings 34 fixed to one end of the rod, on a plane at rightangles thereto, and a lock fastener 35 threadedly engaged through the tube to releasably engage and hold the rod in fixed position therein.

The coupling31 includes a first ball member 36 fixed tothet pp r end of the column C, ,a second ball member 37 fixed to the exterior of the tube, intermediate its ends, and apairof elongate plates with spherical depressions in their end portions, arranged in side by side relationship and secured together, intermediate their ends, by manually engageable clamp screw means 38. The plates cooperate to define intricately connected longitudinally spaced split sockets 39 in which the ball members 36 and 37 are engaged and held captive. The split sockets 39 are such that they can be urged into tight, fixed, clamped engagementwith the ball members by operation of the screw means 38.

With the means M set forth above, it will be apparent that the guide tube can be arranged to occur in a horizontal plane and at right angles to the column C, as illustrated, or can be shifted and set to extend vertically and parallel with the axis of the column, if circumstances require.

. It will be apparent that the rod 32 can be shifted axially through and relative to the tube 30 and locked therein by means of the fastener 35, as circumstances require.

In operation, the plate 33 is fixed to the wall structure w,- as by means of nail fasteners 40, and so that the rod 32 projects horizontally outwardly therefrom. The column assembly A is rotated so that the flange S projects towards the wall structure w and is at right angles thereto. The tube 39 is then shifted longitudinally of the rod 32 until the straight edge 12 of the flange S occurs on the plane on which the surface of the scratch coat is to be established.

The rod is then locked in fixed position in the tube by means of the fastener 35, thus fixing the upper end of the column assembly in predetermined relationship with the wall structure.

It will be apparent that a similar procedure is or can be followed when the tube and rod are arranged vertically relative to the column and the plate 33 is fixed toa sealing structure.

Before, during or after the above procedure is carried out and as desired or as circumstances require, the mounting means M at the lower end of the column assembly is shifted and fixed or anchored, in the manner previously set forth, so that the straight edge 12 is paral- 4 lel with the desired plane for the surface of the scratch coat.

Each of the column assemblies A are arranged, or set up, in the above manner, at opposite ends of the wall structure w or at the opposite ends of that portion of the wallstructure to which the scratch coat is to be applied.

The carriage B related to each column assembly includes an elongate vertically extending, laterally inwardly opening C-shaped body 41, slideably engaged about the rail 14 and having a flat horizontally disposed, laterally outwardly projecting mounting flange 42.

The carriage B of each assembly A is such that it can be easily and conveniently manually engaged and shifted upwardly and downwardly along the rail, as circumstances require or as desired.

In practice, suitable bearing means (not shown) may be provided in the carriages B to engage their related rails.

The spring-loaded wire reel R, is fixed to the mounting flange 42 of one of the carriages B and carries the wire W. The wire W leads from the reel, forwardly and laterally inwardly over the edge 12 of the adjacent, related, flange S and thence laterally over the edge 12 of the flange-S of the other, remote, column assembly and thence laterally outwardly and rearwardly to connect with the osicllato-r O.

The reel R can be of any one of several commercially available spring loaded reel or drum assemblies and is of the type or kind of reel assembly having a housing and a manually operable clutch means for adjusting and controlling the .tension exerted upon the wire.

In the case illustrated, I have shown the reel R' provided with a housing H and having an outwardly projecting manually engageable clutch operating knob K.

The wire V! is yieldingly held taut between the reel R and the oscillator O, by the reel R and is slideable along the edges 12 of the flanges S.

It will be apparent that when one or the other'of the carriages B is shifted vertically, the length of the wire W extending between the column assemblies is increased or decreased. It will be further apparent that the reel R effectively releases or takes up the wire W, as circumstances require and maintains substantially uniform tension on the wire at all times.

The oscillator O in the preferred carrying out of the invention is an electric oscillator of suitable design and construction. In the case illustrated, the oscillator O is shown as including a case 60, which case is fixed to its related mounting flange 42. The oscillator O is shown as further including a stem 61 projecting from the case, toward the edge 12 of the flange S related thereto and as having a switch box 62 projecting laterally from the case and from which a manually engageable on and off switch 63 projects and from which a power line 64 extends. The oscillator O can, forv example, include a coil, under control of a flip flop switching mechanism and a core within the coil and to which the stem 61 is connected.

The end of the wire related to the oscillator is releasably coupled thereto by means of .a ball stop 65 on the 1 7 free end of the wire'and a bifurcated hook 66, engaging the ball65, passing the wire W and fixed to the stem 61. In operaton and when the apparatus is set up and related to the wall structure w, in a manner set forth above, a coating'of cement or mud 70 is applied to the wall structure, between the flanges S and so that it projects a short distance outwardly and beyond the edges 12 of said flanges.

After the coating of mud is thus applied, or after a desired portion of the wall is thus coated, the wire W is drawn therethrough, by shifting the carriages B and in such a manner as to advance the wire W through the coating to cut free and strip the excess mud from the coating.

When the coating is thus trimmed, a flat straight surface 71 is provided.

It is preferred that the coating of mud or cement 70 75 be permitted to set up slightly before trimming it. with the wire W and so that the coating will not slough oif as the wire is advanced through it.

After the coating has set to a desired extent and so as to prevent the Wire from dragging the mud away from the wall structure w, and so as to assist the cutting action of the wire, the oscillator O is set into operation so as to cause the wire to oscillate longitudinally, to a slight extent. Such oscillation of the wire causes the wire to work its way through the mud, smoothy, displacing granules of sand from bridging engagement with adjacent and surrounding granules of sand, in advance of the wire and in such a manner as to prevent the wire from dragging mud from the wall or pushing excessive mud in front of it and in such a manner as would prevent the obtaining of the desired end effect.

In practice, it will be apparent that mounting means, other than the means M and M disclosed and that an oscillator means, which is either mechanically, hydraulically or pneumatically operated, could be employed without departing from the spirit of this invention.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the specific details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any modifications and/ or variations that may appear to those skilled in the art and which fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. An apparatus for trimming an uncured coating of cement applied to a wall to establish a straight flat surface on said coating including, a pair of laterally spaced, elongate, vertical columns, means releasably mounting said columns in fixed predetermined relationship to said wall, a vertically shiftable carriage on each column, a spring loaded wire reel carried by the carriage on one column, an oscillator carried by the carriage on the other column, an elongate cutting wire engaged about and carried by the reel and having an end portion extending laterally between the columns and coupled to the oscillator, said wire being resiliently tensioned by the reel and oscillated axially by said oscillator, said wire being adapted to be moved through and to trim the coating upon vertical shifting of the carriages.

2. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each column is provided with an elongate outwardly projecting spacer flange with a longitudinally extending straight edge to occur on the plane on which the flat surface is to be established on said coating and over which said wire is slideably engaged.

3. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each column is provided With an elongate outwardly projecting spacer flange with a longitudinally extending straight edge to occur on the plane of said fiat surface on said coating and over which said wire is slideably engaged.

4. A structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein each column is provided with an elongate outwardly projecting spacer flange with a longitudinally extending straight edge to occur on the plane of said flat surface on said coating and over which said wire is slideably engaged.

5. An apparatus for trimming an uncured coating of cement applied to a wall to establish a straight fiat surface on said coating including, a pair of laterally spaced, elongate, vertical columns, means releasably mounting said columns in fixed spaced relationship to said wall, each column having an inwardly projecting longitudinal spacer flange with a longitudinal straight edge and projecting toward said wall with said edge occurring on the plane of said flat surface on the coating, a laterally outwardly projecting longitudinal rail on each column and a vertically shiftable carriage on each rail, a trimming wire coupled with the carriages to extend over and between the straight edges of said spacer flanges, said wire being adapted to be moved through and to trim the coating upon vertical shifting of the carriages.

6. A structure as set forth in claim 5 including a spring loaded wire reel carried by one of the carriages and about and to which one end of said wire is engaged and fixed.

7. A structure as set forth in claim 5 including, a spring loaded wire reel on one carriage and connected with one end portion of said wire, an oscillator on the other carriage and coupled with the other end of the wire.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 818,959 4/1906 Heater 25-105 2,711,020 6/1955 Hastings 143-133 X FOREIGN PATENTS 780,451 7/ 1957 Great Britain.

I. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner. E. MAR, Assistant Examiner. 

5. AN APPARATUS FOR TRIMMING AN UNCURED COATING OF CEMENT APPLIED TO A WALL TO ESTABLISH A STRAIGHT FLAT SURFACE ON SAID COATING INCLUDING, A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED, ELONGATE, VERTICAL COLUMNS, MEANS RELEASABLY MOUNTING SAID COLUMNS IN FIXED SPACED RELATIONSHIP TO SAID WALL, EACH COLUMN HAVING AN INWARDLY PROJECTING LONGITUDINAL SPACER FLANGE WITH A LONGITUDINAL STRAIGHT EDGE AND PROJECTING TOWARD SAID WALL WITH SAID EDGE OCCURING ON THE PLANE OF SAID FLAT SURFACE ON THE COATING, A LATERALLY OUTWARDLY PROJECTING LONGITUDINAL RAIL ON COLUMN AND A VERTICALLY SHIFTABLE CARRIAGE ON EACH RAIL, A TRIMMING WIRE COUPLED WITH THE CARRIAGES TO EXTEND OVER AND BETWEEN THE STRAIGHT EDGES OF SAID SPACER FLANGES, AND WIRE BEING ADAPTED TO BE MOVED THROUGH AND TO TRIM THE COATING UPON VERTICAL SHIFTING OF THE CARRIAGES. 